CHENNAI, May 19, 2026, 00:34 IST
Sunrisers Hyderabad punched their ticket to the Indian Premier League playoffs with a five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings on Monday, locking up the third playoff spot. The result also pushed Gujarat Titans through to the knockouts, while five sides are still in the hunt for the last available berth.
The league phase is in its last week, so every match takes on fresh weight. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat, and Hyderabad have already secured spots. Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders are all still in the mix. Net run rate—the season-long run margin tiebreaker—could break deadlocks if teams end up even on points.
Hyderabad wrapped up their chase of 181 at Chepauk in just 19 overs. Ishan Kishan hammered 70 from 47 deliveries, while Heinrich Klaasen chipped in with 47. Earlier, Chennai posted 180 for seven, Dewald Brevis scoring 44 and Kartik Sharma adding 32. Pat Cummins picked up 3 for 28.
Kishan picked up player of the match honors. Calling the pitch “not an easy one,” he explained that batting at No. 3 meant his focus was on staying in, not pushing the chase too fast. The Times of India
Cummins called the victory “really satisfying,” and pointed to Kishan and Klaasen for reading a pitch that held up and kept low. He told his team not to “go too hard too early.” The Times of India
Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad called 180 a par score, but admitted, “we left a few runs out there.” With the defeat, Chennai slid to sixth place—12 points from 13 matches. Their net run rate dipped as well, now at minus 0.016. The Times of India
Punjab sit in fourth with 13 points across 13 games, narrowly leading Rajasthan, Chennai, and Delhi—each locked on 12. Kolkata trails with 11 from 12 matches. Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, both out of contention.
Rajasthan go up against out-of-contention Lucknow in Jaipur on Tuesday. Kolkata take on Mumbai at Eden Gardens the following day. Gujarat are set to play host to Chennai on Thursday, with Hyderabad clashing with Bengaluru on Friday.
Delhi kept their hopes alive Sunday, clinching a five-wicket win over Rajasthan, according to Reuters. Mitchell Starc picked up 4-40, and a 105-run opening partnership from Abishek Porel and KL Rahul set up Delhi’s chase of 194, which they finished with four balls to spare.
After the win, Delhi’s Hemang Badani described Starc as “one of the best role models anyone can have in sport,” pointing to both his preparation and the effect he’s had on younger bowlers. Starc, reflecting on the realities of high-scoring T20s, said bowlers have to “put the ego aside” with runs piling up so fast. Reuters
The danger is obvious for teams chasing that last playoff spot: a single slip-up—be it a costly over or a heavy loss—could upend the entire fourth-place battle. Punjab remain best-placed on the table, while Rajasthan have more matches left to play. Chennai and Delhi, though, are relying on a combination of favorable results elsewhere and their own victories.
